Where to change your username

You change your Minecraft username through the official Minecraft launcher, not through the game itself. The launcher is the program you open before you start playing — it shows your character skin and lets you choose which version of the game to load. If you play Java Edition on Windows, Mac, or Linux, this is where the username change happens.

The process is different if you play Bedrock Edition (the version on Windows 10/11, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, or Xbox). Bedrock usernames are tied to your Microsoft account, so you change them through Microsoft's account settings instead of the launcher. This guide covers Java Edition first, then Bedrock at the end.

Key Takeaways

  • Java Edition usernames are changed in the Minecraft launcher under the Accounts tab, and the change takes effect the next time you log in.
  • You can change your Java username once every 30 days, and the old name becomes available for others to claim after a grace period.
  • Bedrock Edition usernames are changed through your Microsoft account settings, not the launcher.
  • Your UUID (the permanent identifier Minecraft uses behind the scenes) stays the same when you change your username, so your worlds and progress remain yours.
  • Name changes can take a few minutes to show up everywhere — servers and friends' lists may lag behind the launcher.

Changing your Java Edition username in the launcher

Open the Minecraft launcher and look for the Accounts tab at the top left. Click it. You will see a list of accounts you have logged into on this computer. Find the account whose username you want to change and click on it to select it.

Once the account is selected, look for a button or link that says "Change" or a pencil icon next to the username. Click it. A text field will appear where you can type your new username. Type the new name you want, then click the button to confirm the change. The launcher will save it when ready.

The new username takes effect the next time you log into a server or world. If you are already in a game, you may need to log out and log back in to see the change reflected. Single-player worlds will show the new name right away.

The 30-day waiting period between changes

Minecraft enforces a 30-day cooldown between username changes on the same account. If you changed your username recently, you will see a message in the launcher telling you when you can change it again. This timer starts from the date of your last change, not from when you first created the account.

If you try to change your username before the 30 days are up, the launcher will block the change and show you the exact date you can try again. There is no way to bypass this — it is a built-in protection to prevent account takeovers and confusion on multiplayer servers.

What happens to your old username

When you change your username, the old one does not disappear when ready. It enters a grace period (usually 30 days) during which it is reserved under your account. If you change your mind, you can change back to your old username during this window without waiting the full 30 days.

After the grace period ends, your old username becomes available for anyone else to claim. This means someone else can take it. Your UUID — the permanent identifier Minecraft uses to track your account — stays the same, so your worlds, progress, and server data all remain tied to you. Other players will just see your new name instead of the old one.

Changing your Bedrock Edition username

If you play Bedrock Edition (Windows 10/11, Switch, PlayStation, or Xbox), your username is part of your Microsoft account, not the Minecraft launcher. To change it, go to account.microsoft.com in a web browser and sign in with the Microsoft account you use for Bedrock.

Once you are signed in, click on "Your info" or "Profile" at the top. Look for a section called "Manage your Microsoft account" or similar. Find the field that shows your current username or gamertag and click "Edit" or "Change". Type your new username and confirm the change. The new name will show up in Bedrock the next time you launch the game.

Bedrock usernames have different rules than Java Edition. You may be able to change yours more frequently, and the name availability works differently across platforms. Check Microsoft's account help page if you run into a message saying your chosen name is unavailable.

Troubleshooting a stuck or failed username change

If the launcher shows an error when you try to change your username, the most common cause is that the name you chose is already taken. Minecraft usernames are unique — no two accounts can have the same name. Try a different name, or add a number or underscore to make it unique.

If the launcher will not let you change your username at all, check whether you are still within the 30-day cooldown from your last change. The launcher should tell you the date you can change again. If the cooldown timer looks wrong, try logging out of the launcher completely, closing it, and logging back in. This refreshes the account information.

If you play on a multiplayer server and your new username does not show up there right away, wait a few minutes. Servers cache player names and may take time to sync with Minecraft's name servers. If it has been more than an hour and the server still shows your old name, contact the server administrator — they may need to restart the server or clear their player cache.

How name changes affect multiplayer and servers

When you change your username, multiplayer servers and other players will see your new name the next time you join or the next time they refresh their player list. Your UUID stays the same, so the server still knows it is you — your inventory, rank, and progress do not change.

Some servers keep old usernames in their logs for moderation and security reasons. If you were banned under your old username, changing your name will not remove the ban — the server tracks you by UUID, not by name. The same is true for whitelists: if you were whitelisted under your old name, you will still be able to join because the server recognizes your UUID.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username back to what it was before?

Yes, but only during the grace period after your change (usually 30 days). After that, the old name becomes available for anyone to claim. If someone else has taken it, you cannot get it back unless they change their username first.

What if someone else took my old username after I changed it?

Once the grace period ends, your old username is public and anyone can claim it. There is no way to reclaim it after that. If you want to keep a username reserved, do not change it, or change back to it before the grace period expires.

Will my skins and capes transfer to my new username?

Yes. Your skins, capes, and cosmetics are tied to your account UUID, not your username. When you change your name, all of those stay with you. Other players will see your new name wearing the same skin you had before.

Do I need to change my password when I change my username?

No. Your password and username are separate. Changing your username does not affect your password, and you do not need to update anything else to log in. You will still use the same email and password you always have.

How long does it take for the name change to show up everywhere?

The launcher updates when ready, but multiplayer servers and the Minecraft website may take a few minutes to an hour to sync. If you join a server right after changing your name, it might still show your old name until the server refreshes its player list.